Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser

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I?ve tried dozens of cleansers for my sensitive, dry, break-out prone skin and this is by far the best I?ve ever found! The cleanser I was using before claimed it was ?gentle at water? but compared to this one, there?s no competition. On days I wear makeup I use this cleanser with my clarisonic and though it doesn?t foam (which can take some getting used to), it actually gets off everything - eye makeup included - and doesn?t leave my skin with that dry, tight feeling afterwards.

The old version of this cleanser was mild and excellent. I used it for many years. I gave the new version a good try, but it makes my skin dry. It seems to leave a residue, and I wonder if my skin reacts to what doesn't rinse off. Now I must find a new cleanser!

Customer Service Response: Hello, and thanks for sharing your experience with us - we're sorry to hear this didn't work as expected for you! Please contact a member of our Customer Care team for information on a possible exchange or refund. �

I prefer this formulation over the older version. The older version was a thinner consistency, this one is much richer and creamier. For the past 3 years I've had problems with extreme dryness on my forehead, now for some reason I have no flakey skin at all. I don't know if it's the new formulation but I haven't changed anything else in my routine. So very pleased with this. I will never be without.

I bought this cleaanser because my skin is so sensitive and dry right now in places because of the winter weather here. I also recently had very reactive skin and would get instant red bumps. They looked awful. I've only been using this for 4 days, twice a day and it's already made a HUGE change in the redness and bumps. I love the smell, it's not scented but has a clean smell and the texture is really creamy and nice, which I love. It's not lotion like and I don't lotion textured cleansers

I really like that this cleanser leaves my skin feeling soft and doesn't dry my skin out. I know the directions say to use a washcloth to remove 'heavy makeup,' but this doesn't remove even a light coat of mascara at all, or a cream based eye shadow. I really don't want to scrub my eyes with a washcloth, and I haven't ever wanted to waste money on an eye makeup remover, because every other cleanser I have used has removed my eye makeup easily. Too bad. I use many PC products but not this one

Customer Service Response: Hello, and thank you for taking the time to reach out to us - we're sorry to hear this didn't work as expected! Please contact a member of our Customer Care team for information about a possible exchange or refund.

After using this cleanser for over 10 years, I wish I would have been asked to be on the "panel" who decided this new formula was better than the old one. The best description of it that I can think of is "Gloppy". It actually slides off my fingers in big clumps, wasting a lot of the product. Returning it is not an option. I have rosacea, and this has been the only cleanser I have been able to use without any irritation. I'm so disappointed. Please bring the old formula back.

I have very sensitive dry skin all year round, esp in the winter. This cleanser works very well to remove my make up including eye makeup and it does not leave my skin feeling tight. Best cleanser I have used by far!! I notice a lot of people saying it leaves a residue on the skin but I have not noticed that myself. Great product!

I was very pleased to find my second favorite cleanser (Resist tops the list; this isn't far behind) has been reformulated into an actual cleansing cream. I have no problem with any supposed residue being left behind?just clean, smooth skin. Smells nice as well. So there!

I like this new formula. The old one was good, but, it really didn't seem much different that some of the others. It cleans my face very well without leaving it dry. I love that it leaves a creamy finish to my face after I wash it.

I just started using this product in september and really loved it, easily 5 stars. So I then purchased the large bottle and instantly noticed the formulation has changed. I don't mind the creamier texture, I have super dry skin so the creamier the better, but it doesn't remove my makeup very well like the old did, it also leaves my skin tighter/dryer after washing before I can get to my toner and the smell really gets to me, it has a very unpleasant scent since the change.

This is my third week of using this product. First two weeks it everything seemed okay, but now in the third week my skin is breaking out. In the second week I used the 2% BHA exfoliant sample. But stopped using the exfoliant because I had started noticing minor breakout. Today I noticed more breakout at a higher degree. I am not sure if its the cleanser or after effects of the exfoliant. My brown skin scars easily so I'm now quite skeptical about this product.

Customer Service Response: Hello, and thanks for sharing your experience - we're sorry to hear this didn't work as expected for you! Please contact a member of our Customer Care team for information about a possible exchange or refund.

I knew as soon as I squeezed some of out of the bottle that it was not the same formula. The former formula was much more milky. I wasn't deterred, however, as I have no objections to a creamier formula. That being said, my skin was immediately irritated upon application, something that NEVER happened with the old formula. Not to mention, it did a very poor job of removing my eye makeup (something that again, the old formula did rather good job of). WHY mess with a good thing!?

Customer Service Response: Thank you for sharing your experience, and we?re sorry this wasn?t a fit for you. The Skin Recovery Collection is designed for those with dry to very dry skin, and as such, the latest formulation of the Softening Cream Cleanser is truer to this skin type than the past?it is now a genuine cream formula. What makes cream cleansers so beneficial for dry to very dry skin is the moisture they leave behind due to their blends of emollient and reparative ingredients.� In extensive panel testing, participants overwhelming preferred the new version to the prior, including for makeup removal.� You may prefer our lighter, lotion-based normal to dry alternatives in the Resist Hydrating Cleanser or Moisture Boost Cleanser formulas.� Please contact our Customer Care Team for assistance with a refund/exchange or with any questions.

This is hands down the best cleanser ever! I have REALLY sensitive skin and it NEVER breaks it out or bothers it. My Mom has dry/aging skin and she's able to use it too. The new bottle is a little trickier than the old pump style bottle. But I just open the cap ahead of time and it makes it easier when I'm ready to lather up. I also use it 2x weekly with my Olay facial brush cleaner .

This cleanser is so creamy and delicious to wash my face with. I love it. I find it takes off all my makeup very easy, no sting,and leaves my face soft and looking dewy. Also love the lack of scent...However I do have one complaint,that might prevent me from ordering more and that is the container. If you happen to have arthritics hands, especially in the thumb- joint the container is painful to squeeze the hard plastic. It would be wonderful if there were a pump.

I have been using this cleanser and have been very happy with it until they changed the formula. I didn't realize it after I bought it and noticed that it was very thick and creamy. It's like washing your face with lotion. Your face does not feel clean and it also leaves a residue that's difficult to wash off. While cleaning with toner, I can see that the foundation was still on my face. Normally, the cotton pad is clean. I've also noticed some breakout and a whitehead, which I never get.

Customer Service Response: Thank you for sharing your experience, and we?re sorry this wasn?t a fit for you. The Skin Recovery Collection is designed for those with dry to very dry skin, and as such, the latest formulation of the Softening Cream Cleanser is truer to this skin type than the past?it is now a genuine cream formula. What makes cream cleansers so beneficial for dry to very dry skin is the moisture they leave behind due to their blends of emollient and reparative ingredients.� In extensive panel testing, participants overwhelming preferred the new version to the prior, including for makeup removal.� You may prefer our lighter, lotion-based normal to dry alternatives in the Resist Hydrating Cleanser or Moisture Boost Cleanser formulas.� Please contact our Customer Care Team for assistance with a refund/exchange or with any questions.

I have used Paula's products with much success over the years; love virtually all I've tried. The reformulation of the skin recovery cleanser is not a hit for me. As another reviewer stated, I have a hard time washing it off; it seems to leave a residue. I will continue to use it, but would have stocked up on the old version if I'd had a chance. Maybe customer service could give us a heads up when re-formulations are on the horizon? I felt the same way when the hair/body shampoo formula changed.

Customer Service Response: Thanks for your feedback! We're sorry you're not liking the latest version of this cleanser. Please feel free to contact us if you'd like to exchange this cleanser for another option.

I have acne prone skin (incl. cystic) that has begun to dry out with age and use of Differin. I have always used Moisture Boost in the winters, but my skin started getting dry early this year, and it wasn't cutting it. This cleanser is fabulous - so incredibly gentle (no lather), yet it gets my face substantially cleaner with less product than the Moist. Boost or the Skin Balancing cleansers. No breakouts, and my skin feels noticeably less taut. Highly recommend!

I've used Moisture Boost cleanser, however found it drying..so tried Skin Recovery and while it didn't dry out my skin as much as Moisture Boost I found the consistency very milky and seems like I had to use twice as much in order to cleanse my face. The scent is also odd. Will go back to Moisture Boost even though it is drying for my skin.

I have used PC cleansers in the past with much success. For some reason, this cleanser is not working well for me. After use I am finding residue left on cotton pad with toner--a noticeable uptick in this since I started using the SOFTENING CREAM CLEANSER. Now I have to wash twice to feel really clean and I wear a light coverage makeup (all bases covered)!! Did the formula change?!

Customer Service Response: Thanks for your review! Yes, the formula did change for this product. We felt (and our panel testers agreed) that it was a change for the better, including for makeup removal. Please contact us if you'd like to arrange for a refund or exchange.

I have extremely sensitive skin. I tried many different cleansers for sensitive skin. However, with prolonged use my face would start turning red after I washed it. It was like my skin was being slightly burned by these products. When I found Paula's Choice website I was impressed that you could order samples of all the products first. I've used this cleanser almost two years and my skin looks great. I haven't experienced any redness, just a healthy complexion. I've even received compliments.

This cleanser DID NOT make the cut for me, mostly due to the smell. It reminds me of slightly watered down Elmer's glue. Gross. I understand Paula's commitment to not adding fragrance, but this cleanser seriously needs it. It did help repair my damaged acid mantle, so it's not all bad. But since I don't have this issue anymore I won't use again & will probably return.

I gave it 4 stars, as it left my nose pretty dry but not the rest of my face. That left me a little perplexed! I order a sample, to make sure that this would be the cleanser for me before I bought the large size. I have african american skin, very acne-prone with dark scars from past acne. My skin suffers from eczema in both summer and winter & i have very allergic eyes. So what I wash my face with is very important, as most cleansers sting. This one didn't.

I ordered the cleanser about 2 months ago and just started using it today. When I received the product the bottle was very warm to the touch, since here in Texas the temps are usually 100 degrees or over, I was not sure the cleanser was safe to use after opening the bottle and noticing a odd odor. I'm not sure if I should continue using it or not? The product does not dry out my face, so that is good. Please comment customer service. Thank you.

Customer Service Response: This cleanser should be fine to use, as all of our products go through extensive stability testing that includes long-term exposure to high heat. If you remain concerned, please contact us.

LOVE both this & the Moisture Boost cleanser so much! Both are creamy, but the Moisture Boost works into a rich, low-suds lather compared to this one. After years of trying bad OTC cream cleansers, I was convinced they weren't for me. They never removed all my makeup, & left a film on my skin. Now that I've used these, I'll never go back to foaming cleansers!Both leave the skin soft & clean & remove makeup well. I prefer the MB solely bcuz of the rich lather. Otherwise, it's a draw!

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What makes this product unique?Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser is a rich, intensely hydrating cleanser that rinses easily with water. Designed for dry to very dry skin, the creamy lotion texture glides over skin while it cleanses and removes makeup. Works throughout the cleansing process to keep dry skin supple while actually improving skin's softness and adding moisture. This cleanser is also an excellent option for truly sensitive skin, including those with rosacea.

This cleanser is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free.

Who is this product for?Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser is formulated for those with normal to very dry or sensitive skin.

Sources to support the claims made for Skin Recovery SOFTENING CREAM Cleanser

DIRECTIONS: Wet face and apply a small amount of cleanser to your face and eye area with vigorous, yet gentle, circular motions. Rinse well. To remove heavy makeup, repeat or use with a clean, wet washcloth.

It depends on how much eye or face makeup you are using or if you are wearing waterproof mascara, waterproof makeup, or other hard-to-remove makeup. Otherwise, this cleanser effectively removes most types of makeup. If you feel you need an a separate makeup remover, Paula's Choice Gentle Touch Makeup Remover is ideal.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser is slightly more emollient than Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin, which makes it preferred for someone with dry to very dry skin. It is also more emollient than Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser, though both the Resist and Skin Recovery Cleanser are great for dry skin of any age.

While it is an option, your best bet would be to try Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleansers for Normal to Dry Skin first. If you prefer a gel cleanser, consider Hydralight One Step Cleanser for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin.

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